Byron Hinterland House. Handcrafted Modernism.

Coup de Coeur (meaning ‘blow to the heart’) is a beloved feature where we journey through extraordinary spaces and the minds of their creators. A portal to timeless design and endless inspiration.

“For me, a home should be a quiet conversation between form, texture and light—a space where every piece is chosen with intention, every detail has a story, and the whole feels effortlessly personal and timeless.” - Danielle McEwan, Founder & Creative Director, Tigmi  

The first impression was unmistakable. A natural ridge, a long and winding driveway, and a gasp-worthy view stretching across the rolling hinterland to the deep blue of Lennox Head beyond. A soft sea breeze moved across the land, carrying with it a quiet sense of possibility. This was a place that asked for something considered, something enduring. All sixty hectares deserved a home shaped by intention.

From the outset, the owners understood the responsibility of the site and the importance of choosing collaborators who could honour it. Architect Polly Harbison was engaged to shape the structure, with Tigmi Founder and Creative Director Danielle McEwan guiding the interior concept and furnishing curation. Together, the team approached the project with a shared respect for landscape, materiality and restraint.

Rather than a light pavilion perched upon the ridge, Polly envisioned a home that felt anchored to it. Monolithic basalt walls rise organically from the earth, formed from the same stone that runs through the site itself. Recycled Australian hardwood brings warmth and tactility, softening the strength of the architecture. The result is a residence that feels less imposed and more unearthed, protective yet open, elemental yet refined.

The plan is deliberately modernist in its simplicity, designed to shift effortlessly between quiet intimacy and generous gathering. Terraced stone walls define the home’s rhythm, while expansive glazing invites the changing light and vast views inward. It is a structure that feels permanent, grounded and deeply connected to its surroundings.

Tigmi’s interior approach was guided by the same philosophy. Working closely with Polly and the client, the interiors were curated to complement the boldness of the architecture without competing with it. Vintage and contemporary pieces sit side by side, chosen for their integrity, warmth and quiet presence. Belgian minimalism meets tropical modernism, softened through natural textures, a restrained palette and objects that feel lived with rather than styled.

“It was important that the interiors didn’t try to overpower the architecture,” reflects Danielle McEwan. “Instead, we focused on creating intimacy and ease. A sense of quiet luxury that supports everyday living while remaining timeless.”

Throughout the home, spaces unfold with a sense of calm continuity. Sheltered courtyards, sun-drenched terraces and inward-looking rooms respond intuitively to the climate and shifting light of the Byron hinterland. The result is a sanctuary that feels expansive yet grounded, refined yet relaxed.

This is a home where architecture and interiors speak the same language. Where barefoot living meets crafted modernism. And where a deep connection to land, material and place creates not just a house, but a lasting sense of belonging.

 

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Photography — Anson Smart

Architecture — Polly Harbison

Interior Furnishings — Tigmi Design Studio

Styling — Ella McCabe Barton

As Seen In — Belle Magazine

 

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Byron Hinterland House

“It was important that the interiors didn’t try to overpower the architecture. Instead, we focused on creating intimacy and ease. A sense of quiet luxury that supports everyday living while remaining timeless."

 

Byron Hinterland House Edit